By Oluwakemi Kindness
The United States has urged Nigeria to intensify efforts to protect Christian communities from attacks and ensure the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes.
The call was made by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, at the end of his visit to Abuja, where he held talks with senior Nigerian government officials on security cooperation, justice sector reform, digital transformation, commercial diplomacy and regional stability.
According to a statement on Wednesday by the U.S. State Department, Garcia welcomed Nigeria’s increased efforts under the U.S.-Nigeria Joint Working Group (JWG) to address the country’s Country of Particular Concern designation, but stressed that more must be done to protect Christians and support the safe return of displaced communities.
He said progress on these issues would be reviewed at the next meeting of the Joint Working Group scheduled for August in Washington, D.C.
Garcia met with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye; Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
His discussions with the Attorney General focused on terrorism prosecutions, criminal accountability and religious freedom, while talks with Tijani explored opportunities for increased U.S. investment and greater private sector engagement in Nigeria’s economy.
The Assistant Secretary also met senior executives of leading U.S. energy and technology companies to discuss Nigeria’s business climate and investment opportunities.
